Frosted Elfin - Hodges#4325
Callophrys irus
This record describes Callophrys irus (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Three subspecies, arsace in southeast, irus in northeast, and hadros a dark form within AR,LA,OK,TX.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)
- Subfamily
- Theclinae
- Tribe
- Eumaeini
- Genus
- Callophrys
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open woods, edges, scrublands near hostplant
Geographic Range
e US, local - Map (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
mostly Apr-May, one flight - MPG
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults take nectar.
Life History
Larvae feed on certain Fabaceae, esp. Lupines ( Lupinus ) and Baptisia.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Callophrys irus (Godart, [1824])
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Callophrys irus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Frosted Elfin - Hodges#4325 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Mike Quinn , Cliff Ivy
Frequently Asked Questions About Frosted Elfin - Hodges#4325
What is Frosted Elfin - Hodges#4325?
Frosted Elfin - Hodges#4325 (Callophrys irus) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Frosted Elfin - Hodges#4325?
Wingspan 2.5-3.2 cm
Where is Frosted Elfin - Hodges#4325 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open woods, edges, scrublands near hostplant |
| Range | e US, local - Map (MPG) |
What does Frosted Elfin - Hodges#4325 eat?
The diet of the Frosted Elfin - Hodges#4325 includes Adults take nectar..
When is Frosted Elfin - Hodges#4325 active?
Frosted Elfin - Hodges#4325: seasonal activity - mostly Apr-May, one flight - MPG.
What is the life cycle of a Frosted Elfin - Hodges#4325?
Larvae feed on certain Fabaceae, esp. Lupines ( Lupinus ) and Baptisia.